Innovation:

Journalism took a beating in 2016. Donald Trump was elected president, thwarting pollsters and shaking off seemingly endless fact-checking. News organizations continue to lay off journalists … Read More

Based on what we have learned, it is likely Jim is being held with one or more Western journalists, including most likely at least one other American.

The article notes that McClatchy and Washington Post freelancer Austin Tice has also been missing in Syria since last August. I asked McClatchy Washington Bureau Chief James Asher whether they had any information about Tice being the journalist referenced in Balboni's quote.

"Since August we continue to worry about his safety and hope for his eventual return to his family," he said via email. "Unfortunately there is little more we can say now."

The Syrian kidnapping was different. This time, the Foleys had no idea where or by whom their son was being held, or even whether he was still alive. In the absence of information, and on the advice of security experts, they decided to remain silent.

“I think it’s very difficult to launch a media campaign when you don’t know who you’re putting pressure on, and this was the case with James,” Foley's friend Nicole Tung told Bach.

What to read next

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Andrew Beaujon reported on the media for Poynter from 2012 to 2015. He was previously arts editor at TBD.com and managing editor of Washington City Paper. He's the author of the 2006 book "Body Piercing Saved My Life," about Christian rock and evangelical Christian culture.